The first array of solar panels is going up on the High Point Neighborhood Center, at 6920 34th Ave. S.W.
Alex Wang, development associate for the Neighborhood House said this will be the largest array atop a building in the entire state, and the largest atop a social service agency in the entire country.
More to come on this later.
On 58th Southwest, on a sunny, 75-degree day, citizens alerted officers to a dog locked in a car. The windows were rolled down about two inches. A plastic bowl of water had fallen onto the floor and spilled. The officer was able to unlock the car and noted that the interior was “very hot.” The excited dog was taken to the shade, immediately lapped up a bowl of water, and was covered in towels soaked in cold water by a citizen who works in animal rescue. After 20 minutes the owner appeared and dismissed the officers' concerns, saying that he did it “all the time, even in Florida,” and that said the officers were “insulting him” by suggesting the danger of the situation. Animal Control wasn't able to respond, but suggested officers write up a report and forward it to them. The man and his dog were released.
The King County Water Taxi had another record month in June, with a total of 33,865 riders carried by the popular West Seattle-to-downtown passenger-only ferry.
It also set a ridership record in May.
The ridership represents an increase of 12.7 percent over June 2008, in which 30,046 passengers rode the Water Taxi. The year-to-date Water Taxi ridership is 85,784, as compared with 59,386 at the end of June 2008.
The Water Taxi also continued its MVP role for Mariners baseball fans returning home after games—a total of 410 people rode the four boats from Pier 55 to West Seattle’s Seacrest Park following the Mariners’ matinee (1:40 p.m. start time) win over the San Diego Padres.
“Mariners fans are a big part of our loyal Water Taxi ridership and we are happy to give them the opportunity to skip the traffic jams and take a relaxing ride home after the game,” said county council chair Dow Constantine, who also serves as chair of the King County Ferry District Board. “We will work to replicate the success of our West Seattle route as the King County Ferry District adds demonstration service on other routes on Puget Sound and Lake Washington.”
The Delridge community has received adequate volunteer commitments to build the new playground on July 17. However they still need help on a few more minor issues, announced project leader, Betsy Hoffmeister at the North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting Wednesday, July 1.
Food donations, or money for food is the first issue, as the 150 volunteers will need to be fed. Also, they need awning-style tents to provide shade for the kids who will be left in the tennis courts.
Assuming that volunteers will bring their children, the idea is put them somewhere they can be left to play moderately unsupervised.
“Almost every business we’ve asked for donation of anything has been open and given us what we ask for, almost more than we ask for,” Hoffmeister commented.
Despite this generosity, there are still a few costs left, so they are planning on doing a raffle at the West Seattle Street Fair, and are hoping for some items, such as restaurant donations or garden art.
“A lot of people in the community have been concerned about the old playground equipment," Hoffmeister said.
Art and nature join together in a grand display of Northwest artists against the back drop of the historic E.B. Dunn Historic Gardens. An “AYPE Inspirations” group show coincides with the 1909 Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition Centennial celebrations in Seattle.
Artistic works in stone, wood, glass, metals, and natural materials will be displayed throughout the 7.5 acre site. Proceeds from the event will go to support the conservation of the Dunn Gardens and its continued use and enjoyment by the public.
The art of 28 noted local artists will be displayed to full advantage in the lush vegetation, winding pathways, great lawn, and majestic Northwest scenery that are the hallmarks of the mature 1915 Olmsted design for the Arthur Dunn family summer “Country Place."
Featured artists include Sabah Al-Dhaher, Tony Angell, Joan Bazaz, Laura Brodax, Will Dacus, Jeff Day, Clare Dohna, Louise DuRocher, Jean Emmons, Robert Fairfax, Pat Gallagher, Georgia Gerber, Gayle Harris, Jan Hopkins, Tom Jay, Sara Mall Johani, Dehanna Jones, Jesse Kelly, Kim Merriman, Ann Morris, Jared Nason, Lynda Nielson, Mark Rudis, Julie Speidel, Jeff Tangen, David Traylor and Brandon Zebold.
The Old Pequliar Public House on 17th Avenue Northwest and Northwest Market Street will host its second annual “Pig and Pipes” Pig Roast Fundraiser on Saturday, August 22 to benefit the Seattle Fire Department’s Seattle’s Bravest Charity.
The Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums Corps will perform with their kilts and bagpipes, along with The Raybone Experience. Doors open at noon.
The Old Pequliar will be roasting an 80 pound pig onsite and serving side dishes provided by Tom Douglas Restaurants.
Tickets may be purchased for $15 in advance at the The Old Pequliar or $20 the day of the event. Ticket includes entry, food and entertainment. Draft microbrews will be offered at $3 a pint with drink specials all day.
Seattle's Bravest Charity was created after the 1995 fire deaths of four Seattle Firefighters at the Pang Warehouse Fire. Originally known as Seattle Firefighter's Benevolent Association, it has since grown into an organization with a broad scope, capable of providing support to our community and entities within the Seattle Fire Department.
For more information about Seattle’s Bravest Charity, please visit www.seattlesbravest.com.
There's a lot going on the Westside this holiday weekend. Here are some of the events to check out.
Friday, July 3
Duwamish Tribe “Salmon Bake for Justice” (Read story here).
Duwamish Longhouse
12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
$5 to $20
Funds go toward tribe's legal fees for fight for federal recognition.
Live music: Bob Paluzzi (More info here).
C & P Coffee
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Free
East Coast singer/songwriter, acoustic soul performer, plays guitar, harmonica and tambourine simultaneously.
Live music: Space Cretins and Midnight Idols
Skylark Cafe and Club
9 p.m.
Free, 21+
Saturday, July 4
Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade (Previous coverage here).
Starts at 44th Avenue Southwest and Southwest Sunset Street
10 a.m.
Donations requested.
On July 1 at approximately 5:31 p.m. officers spotted a wanted bank robbery suspect driving a stolen Dodge Ram pickup truck near 3rd Avenue Northwest and Holman Road Northwest. The 36-year-old male suspect was believed to have robbed a bank in Shoreline within the last 90 minutes and was also believed to be responsible for at least two other area robberies (an attempted bank robbery in the 400 block of North 85th Street and an espresso stand robbery in the 14300 block of Greenwood Avenue North).
A police bulletin was recently issued alerting officers that the suspect was wanted for robbery. The bulletin instructed officers to arrest the suspect on a current felony warrant in addition to probable cause for the earlier robberies. The suspect was described as armed and dangerous.
Puget Sound Violent Crimes Task Force Detectives (PSVCTF) were patrolling the area due to the bank robbery that had occurred a short time earlier in Shoreline. Patrol officers attempted to stop the suspect, at which time he got caught in traffic near Greenwood Avenue North and Holman Road North.
The Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board ruled July 1 that a 1921 annex to Fire Station 9 in Fremont is not a landmark.
The board voted 5-4 in favor of designating the building a landmark but needed six votes for the designation to pass.
The failure to achieve landmark status leaves room for the annex to be demolished, along with Fire Station 9, to make way for an upgraded station paid for by a 2003 levy.
Many community letters were submitted in support of the annex, and a number of people spoke on its behalf.
“It is an important part of Seattle Fire history," said Valerie Bunn, a volunteer for the Fremont Historical Resources Project. "This building is the only one left of its type in Seattle.”
“The building is much loved and much respected," said Eric Piel of the Fremont Consortium Society. "It is meaningful to the residents of the neighborhood.”
But, the final word belonged to the board members.
"It’s a very simple building," board member Mollie Tremaine said in support of the structure. "It's often overlooked, but it has historic character. And, those kinds of small, simple builds do have a place in our neighborhood.”
Following an extensive national search that included interviews by teams comprised of staff, community and labor association representatives, Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, announced the selection of Dr. Susan Enfield as the new Chief Academic Officer for Seattle Public Schools. Dr. Enfield’s appointment is effective July 6.
Most recently Dr. Enfield served as Deputy Superintendent of Evergreen Public Schools, a district of more than 26,000 students based in Vancouver, Washington, where she was instrumental in providing key systemic leadership in the design and implementation of K-12 curriculum and instruction for the school district.
“I am delighted to attract a leader of Dr. Enfield’s caliber and experience to lead learning and teaching at Seattle Public Schools,” said Goodloe-Johnson. “This appointment furthers our focus on strengthening leadership district-wide by attracting outstanding leaders. Dr. Enfield’s proven successes demonstrate that she has the skill, passion and commitment to continue implementation of Excellence for All and to help ensure excellence for every student in every school.”
